In short

• This role will own projects and process management to ensure continued success within the Performance All Day (PAD) category at On. As a Senior Footwear Developer, you will manage projects in the development process of products with the highest level of performance. You will own the entire process from initial concept, to production, through commercialization. You will work closely with Product Managers, Designers and the Lead of Product Development
• You will own and represent the product development process for the Performance All Day category at On
• You are expected to execute development by utilizing your advanced knowledge of the development process for performance footwear
• You will collaborate with our Zurich and Vietnamese development teams, design, and product marketing to realize functional footwear product and adhere to product creation calendar
• You will effectively define the best methods to successfully manage the product creation process (e.g. conduct meetings with the product teams during each development phase to review, make changes and drive the decision-making process that leads to on-time production)
• You will provide expert knowledge and recommendations on materials, component and construction options to meet pricing targets and product’s functional requirements
• You will plan and execute the development processes according to critical dates and team/company goals
• You will be responsible for monitoring costs and advising where product efficiencies can be made
• You will work hand in hand with our testing team and biomechanics expert for successful validation and testing of the products, as well as effectively manage the sampling and prototyping of the products
• You will work closely with the innovation team to commercialize new innovation in our Performance All Day Footwear product

Your story

• Higher education degree preferred and 6+ years of experience in the footwear industry or 6+ years of experience as a footwear developer
• Extensive Footwear Development Expertise: Proven advanced knowledge and experience in the end-to-end product development process for performance footwear
• Product Lifecycle Management: Demonstrated ability to effectively define and manage product creation processes from concept to on-time production, including conducting reviews, driving decision-making, and implementing changes at each development phase
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, including design, product marketing, innovation, testing, and biomechanics experts, across different geographical locations (e.g., Zurich and Vietnam)
• Technical Footwear Knowledge: Expert-level understanding of materials, components, and construction options in footwear, with the ability to provide recommendations that balance functional requirements and pricing targets
• Project Management: Skilled in planning and executing development processes to meet critical deadlines and achieve team and company goals
• Cost Management & Efficiency: Experience in monitoring product costs and identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements
• Prototyping & Sampling Management: Proficient in managing the sampling and prototyping phases of product development
• Innovation Commercialization: Ability to work closely with innovation teams to successfully bring new innovations to market within performance footwear

We are an innovative, creative and science-driven team working closely to convert cutting-edge ideas into prototypes and into exceptional products. High quality and performance are top of mind when creating our footwear products. Our team combines the best experts in fields such as Engineering, Development and Product Management to create something extraordinary

Just by the banks of the Limmat you’ll find our largest global hub in Zürich West – On Labs – where you can hike up 12 floors through our custom-built spiral trail

What we offer

• On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose
• On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination
• Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things

Ready to dig into the details?This second interview will be held with your future manager and will focus on the specifics of the job. Together you’ll delve into your unique skills and experiences and how they could be relevant at On. It's also a time to assess how you might feel working side-by-side. Bring any questions you have about the job, the team or anything else you might like to know – this is an open forum

Are we a good fit?We’ll get together internally to share our feedback and decide if we’re a match. We know that job searching is a big time investment, so it’s not a decision we take lightly. It’s also time for you to reflect on the experience – are we the right place for you?No matter the outcome, we’ll give you meaningful feedback

You'll start by submitting your application to a specific role